Strap

ABSTRACT

A strap comprising a main body portion formed in a belt shape and provided with a first loopback end portion formed by intermediate portion being looped back; and a locking mechanism provided with a first support portion slidably supports one region of the main body portion viewed from the first loopback end portion, and a second support portion supports an end portion provided at an opposite side from the first loopback end portion on an other region, and the locking mechanism being switchable between a free state and a locked state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/222,383, filed Aug. 7, 2008 and claims the benefit of Japanese Application 2007-209422 filed Aug. 10, 2007, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates to a strap.

2. Description of the Related Art

Heretofore, as straps attached to cameras, binoculars and the like, straps formed such that length adjustments are performed with ease have been known (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-87470).

With the above-mentioned conventional straps, it is difficult to perform length adjustments in a state in which, for example, the strap is hung round a neck or the like.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a strap that enables length adjustments to be performed with ease.

The present invention solves the above-described problem with the following solution. Here, for ease of understanding, descriptions will be given with reference numerals according to embodiments of the present invention assigned, but these are not to be limiting.

An invention of claim 1 is a strap (1) comprising: a main body portion (21) formed in a belt shape and provided with a first loopback end portion (21 b) formed by a length direction intermediate portion being looped back; and a locking mechanism provided with a first support portion (25) that slidably supports one region of the main body portion viewed from the first loopback end portion, and a second support portion (25 a)that supports an end portion provided at an opposite side from the first loopback end portion on an other region of the main body portion, and the locking mechanism (24) being switchable between a free state, in which sliding between the one region and the first support portion is enabled, and a locked state, in which the sliding is restricted.

The invention of claim 2 is a strap (1) according to claim 1, wherein the end portion provided at the opposite side from the first loopback end portion (21 b) on the other region is supported at the second support portion in a state in which relative movement with respect to the second support portion in the length direction of the main body portion (21) is restricted.

The invention of claim 3 is a strap according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a hanging portion (10) formed in a belt shape and used by being hung round the body of a user; and a third support portion (22) that slidably supports the first loopback end portion (21 b) and is connected to an end portion of the hanging portion, wherein in the main body portion (21), an end portion provided at the opposite side from the first loopback end portion on the one region is connected to an attachment object (100), and the locking mechanism (24) is provided to be relatively movable with respect to the third support portion along the length direction of the main body portion.

The invention of claim 4 is a strap (2) according to claim 1, further comprising: a hanging portion (10) formed in a belt shape and used by being hung round the body of a user; and a third support portion (42) that slidably supports the first loopback end portion (41 b) and is connected to an end portion of the hanging portion, wherein the second support portion (45 a) slidably supports a second loopback end portion (41 c) which is formed by a length direction intermediate portion of the other region of the main body portion being looped back, in the main body portion, an end portion provided at the opposite side from the first loopback end portion viewed from the second loopback end portion on the other region is supported at the third support portion, and an end portion provided at the opposite side from the first loopback end portion on the one region is connected to an attachment object (100), and the locking mechanism (44) is provided to be relatively movable with respect to the third support portion along the length direction of the main body portion.

The invention of claim 5 is a strap (4) according to claim 4, wherein the second support portion (65 a) is provided with a first roller (65 a) that is turnable about an axis parallel with a width direction of the main body portion (61), and the second loopback end portion (61 c) of the main body portion is wound on an outer peripheral surface of the first roller.

The invention of claim 6 is a strap according to any one of claim 3 to claim 5, wherein the third support portion (62) is provided with a second roller that is turnable about an axis parallel with a width direction of the main body portion (61), and the first loopback end portion (61 b) of the main body portion is wound on an outer peripheral surface of the second roller (62 b).

According to the present invention, a strap that enables length adjustments to be performed with ease can be provided

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are views showing examples of a usage example of a first embodiment of a strap, showing a state in which a camera is hung round the neck of a user via the strap;

FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D are views showing a first extensible portion provided at the strap shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D are views showing a second embodiment of the strap;

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are views showing a third embodiment of the strap; and

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are views showing a fourth embodiment of the strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment

Herebelow, embodiments of a strap employing the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The following embodiments are described with a strap for a camera being taken as an example of the strap.

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are views showing examples of a usage example of a first embodiment of the strap, showing a state in which, using the strap, the camera is hung round the neck of a user. FIG. 1A shows a state in which the overall length of the strap is longer than in FIG. 1B.

The overall shape of a strap 1 is a belt shape. One length direction end portion thereof is connected to one side face of a camera 100, and the other length direction end portion is connected to another side face of the camera 100. In FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the strap 1 is used with a length direction middle portion being hung round the neck of a user. However, the strap 1 may be hung round another portion of the body for use, such as a shoulder of a user 200.

The strap 1 is provided with a hanging portion 10, a first extensible portion 20, which connects one end portion of the hanging portion 10 with the camera 100, and a second extensible portion 30, which connects another end portion of the hanging portion 10 with the camera 100.

The hanging portion 10 is a belt-form member formed of, for example, a chemical fiber material or the like. As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a substantially central portion in the length direction thereof is hung round the neck or the like of the user 200 for use.

As shown in FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D, a loopback end portion 11 is provided at the one end portion of the hanging portion 10. The loopback end portion 11 is formed by being looped back such that one face region thereof opposes itself. At the loopback end portion 11, the opposing face regions are fixed, for example, by being sewn together, and the end portion of the hanging portion 10 is formed into a loop. Although not illustrated, the hanging portion 10 is also provided with a loopback portion formed into a loop at the other end portion thereof.

Next, the structure of the first extensible portion 20 will be described.

FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D are plan views and sectional views showing enlargements of the first extensible portion provided at the strap shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show a state in which the overall length of the strap is longer than in FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D. FIG. 2A and FIG. 2C are the plan views and FIG. 2B and FIG. 2D are the sectional views, of a width direction central portion.

As shown in FIG. 1A to FIG. 2D, one end portion of the first extensible portion 20 is connected to the camera 100, and the other end portion is connected to the one end portion of the hanging portion 10 (the loopback end portion 11).

The first extensible portion 20 is provided with a main body portion 21, a connection portion 22, a first adjuster 23 and a second adjuster 24.

The main body portion 21 is a belt-form member formed of, for example, a chemical fiber material or the like.

A loopback end portion 21 a is provided at one end portion (the camera 100 side) of the main body portion 21. The loopback end portion 21 a is formed by the main body portion 21 being looped back such that one face region thereof (hereinafter referred to as the rear face region) opposes itself. Thus, the one end portion of the main body portion 21 is formed into a loop.

A ring-form member known as an eyelet 101 is provided at a side face of the camera 100. The loopback end portion 21 a of the main body portion 21, which is formed into the above-described loop, passes through the eyelet 101.

A loopback end portion 21 b is also provided at the other end portion (the hanging portion 10 side) of the main body portion 21. The loopback end portion 21 b is formed by the rear face region of the main body portion 21 being looped back so as to oppose itself. Thus, the other end portion of the main body portion 21 is also formed into a loop.

The connection portion 22 is a member that connects the main body portion 21 with the hanging portion 10, and is formed in a rectangular ring shape of, for example, a synthetic resin material. Both of the loopback end portion 11 of the hanging portion 10 and the loopback end portion 21 b of the main body portion 21, which are formed into loops, are passed through this connection portion 22. The connection portion 22 slidably supports the loopback end portion 11 of the hanging portion 10 and the loopback end portion 21 b of the main body portion 21.

The first adjuster 23 is for controlling (adjusting) the length direction dimension of the first extensible portion 20, and is provided in a region of the first extensible portion 20 at the camera 100 side thereof.

The first adjuster 23 is provided with a main frame portion 23 a, which is formed in a rectangular ring shape, and a support portion 23 b, which is a rod-form portion provided spanning between opposing edge portions of the main frame portion 23 a. The support portion 23 b is provided to be substantially parallel with the width direction of the strap 1.

The first adjuster 23 is, for example, a molded product formed of a synthetic resin material, and the main frame portion 23 a and support portion 23 b are integrally formed.

A doubled-over region (to which the reference numeral A1 is assigned in FIG. 2B) is formed in a region at the camera 100 side of the main body portion 21 by the formation of the loopback end portion 21 a. This doubled-over region A1 is wound on the support portion 23 b of the first adjuster 23. The overall length of the first extensible portion 20 can be changed by changing the length of the doubled-over region A1.

At the first adjuster 23, when a tension force acts in the length direction of the main body portion 21, the doubled-over region A1 presses the main frame portion 23 a and the support portion 23 b in different directions from one another. At this time, friction force is generated at the rear face region of the main body portion 21. Thus, the main body portion 21 of the first extensible portion 20 is prevented from disengaging from the first adjuster 23.

Similarly to the first adjuster 23, the second adjuster 24 is for adjusting the length direction dimension of the main body portion 21, and is provided in a region of the main body portion 21 at the hanging portion 10 side thereof.

The second adjuster 24 is provided with a base portion 25 and a lever portion 26.

The base portion 25 is a rectangular board-form member disposed to oppose the rear face region of the main body portion 21. The base portion 25 is provided with a long hole portion, through which the main body portion 21 can pass, in the vicinity of an end portion at the hanging portion 10 side thereof. A support portion 25 a, which is formed in a rod shape, is formed at the hanging portion 10 side end portion of the base portion 25.

The lever portion 26 is formed in a rectangular board shape, and the faces of both sides of one end vicinity thereof are supported at the base portion 25 via a shaft portion 26 a. The lever portion 26 is movable between a locking position, at which the lever portion 26 opposes the base portion 25, and a free position, to which the lever portion 26 is turned about the shaft portion 26 a from the locking position. In FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D, the lever portion 26 in the free position is shown by solid lines and the lever portion 26 in the locking position is shown by broken lines.

The above-described main body portion 21 passes between the base portion 25 and the lever portion 26, and the base portion 25 functions as a first support portion.

The lever portion 26 is provided with a pawl portion 26 b, which is provided protruding toward the base portion 25 from the face region that opposes the base portion 25, in the vicinity of the shaft portion 26 a. In a free state, the pawl portion 26 b is withdrawn from the path of passage of the main body portion 21, and relative movement of the main body portion 21 and the second adjuster 24 along the length direction of the main body portion 21 is enabled. In contrast, in a locked state, the pawl portion 26 b protrudes into the path of passage of the main body portion 21, and presses the main body portion 21 to the base portion 25. In the locked state, the pawl portion 26 b meshes with the main body portion 21. This is a locked state in which the main body portion 21 is locked (anchored) with respect to the base portion 25 by friction force between the main body portion 21 and the pawl portion 26 b.

Now, as described above, the loopback end portion 21 b that is formed by looping back a length direction intermediate portion of the main body portion 21 is provided at the hanging portion 10 side end portion of the main body portion 21.

Viewed from the loopback end portion 21 b, one region of the main body portion 21 (to which the reference numeral B1 is assigned in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2D) passes between the base portion 25 and the lever portion 26 as described above, and another region (to which the reference numeral B2 is assigned in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2D) is looped back toward the camera 100 in parallel with the one region B1.

A length direction intermediate portion of the other region B2 is wound on the support portion 25 a of the base portion 25 and looped back toward the connection portion 22 (toward the loopback end portion 21 b). Thus, the support portion 25 a functions as a second support portion. Herebelow, description will be given with a region, of the other region B2, from the loopback end portion 21 b to the portion that is looped back at the support portion 25 a being referred to as a region C1, and a region from the portion that is looped back at the support portion 25 a to the distal end portion of the main body portion 21 that is provided in the other region B2 being referred to as a region C2 (see FIG. 2B).

The region C2 is disposed between the region C1 and the one region B1, and is fixed to the region C1 by, for example, sewing together. Thus, the other region B2 of the main body portion 21 is supported at the base portion 25 of the second adjuster 24 in a state in which relative movement in the length direction of the strap 1 with respect to the second adjuster 24 is restricted.

As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the second extensible portion 30 is provided with a similar structure to the first extensible portion 20 (a main body portion 31, a connection portion 32, a first adjuster 33 (not illustrated), and a second adjuster 34), and descriptions thereof will not be given here.

Next, a method of use of the first embodiment of the strap 1 is described.

The present embodiment of the strap 1 may be used with the overall length of the strap 1 being set to an arbitrary length between the state shown in FIG. 1A (a state in which the overall length of the strap is lengthened) and the state shown in FIG. 1B (a state in which the overall length of the strap is shortened).

Herebelow, operations of the first extensible portion 20 are described. However, the same operations may be performed on the second extensible portion 30 in conjunction with operations of the first extensible portion 20.

When switching from the state shown in FIG. 1A in which the overall length of the strap is long to the state shown in FIG. 1B in which the overall length of the strap is shortened, the locked state of the second adjuster 24 is released, and the second adjuster 24 in this released state is moved downward (toward the camera). In this operation, the second adjuster 24 alone is gripped and moved downward, without the camera 100 or the hanging portion 10 being touched.

When the second adjuster 24 moves downward (toward the camera 100) with respect to the connection portion 22, the loopback end portion 21 b of the main body portion 21 slides through the connection portion 22, and the overall length of the other region B2 viewed from the loopback end portion 21 b is lengthened. Correspondingly, the overall length of the one region B1 viewed from the loopback end portion 21 b is shortened. Thus, the one region B1 is drawn into the other region B2, a length of overlapping of the one region B1 and the other region B2 becomes longer, and the overall length of the first extensible portion 20 becomes shorter (see FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D).

When the overall length of the strap 1 reaches a desired length by shortening of the overall length of the first extensible portion 20, the user operates the lever portion 26 of the second adjuster 24 and puts the second adjuster 24 into the locked state. In the locked state of the second adjuster 24, sliding between the main body portion 21 and the second adjuster 24 is restricted. Therefore, the overall length of the strap 1 is maintained at the above-mentioned desired length.

Further, when switching from the state shown in FIG. 1B in which the overall length of the strap is short to the state shown in FIG. 1A in which the overall length of the strap is lengthened, the locked state of the second adjuster 24 is released, and the second adjuster 24 in this released state is moved upward (toward the hanging portion 10). Hence, when the overall length of the strap 1 reaches a desired length, the user operates the lever portion 26 and puts the second adjuster 24 into the locked state.

According to the above-described present embodiment of the strap 1, the following effects can be provided.

(1) The second adjuster 24 can switch between the free state and the locked state at arbitrary positions (arbitrary positions in the length direction of the main body portion 21). Therefore, the user 200 can arbitrarily adjust the length of the strap 1 for use, for example, to suit their body shape or the like.

(2) The operation of adjusting the length of the strap 1 is carried out by gripping and operating only the second adjuster 24, without touching the hanging portion 10, the main body portion 21 of the extensible portion (the first extensible portion 20 or the second extensible portion 30) or the camera 100 with the hands. Therefore, the operation is easy.

(3) There is no free end of the first extensible portion 20 (or the second extensible portion 30) at the hanging portion 10 side end portion thereof. Therefore, when the length of the strap 1 is shortened, an excess portion including a free end is not produced, and takeup of the strap 1 is better.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the strap employing the present invention will be described. In this second embodiment and in other embodiments to be described later, portions performing functions the same as in the above-described first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, or reference numerals with matching suffixes, and duplicative descriptions and drawings are omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D are views showing an extensible portion provided in the second embodiment of the strap.

A strap 2 of this second embodiment differs from the strap 1 of the first embodiment in the structure of a connection portion 42, which connects the hanging portion 10 with a first extensible portion 40, and in the structure of a second adjuster 44, which is the locking mechanism. Herebelow, these differences will be described.

Whereas the connection portion 22 of the first embodiment is a rectangular ring, that is, a ring with a single hole, the connection portion 42 of the second embodiment is provided with two hole portions arranged along the length direction of the strap 2, and three rod-form portions are provided along the length direction of the strap 2. Herebelow, descriptions are given with the rod-form portions being referred to, from the hanging portion 10 side, as a first support portion 42 a, a second support portion 42 b and a third support portion 42 c.

The loopback end portion 11 provided at the hanging portion 10 is wound on the first support portion 42 a of the connection portion 42.

A loopback end portion 41 b, which is provided between the one region B1 and the other region B2 of a main body portion 41, is wound on the second support portion 42 b.

Now, in the first embodiment, the region C2 included in the other region B2 is fixed to the first region C1 that is disposed to oppose the same. However, in this second embodiment, the other region B2 is looped back toward the connection portion 42 from a support portion 45 a of the second adjuster 44, and the other region B2 is then wound on the third support portion 42 c of the connection portion 42, and is looped back toward the second adjuster 44 (toward the camera 100).

Herebelow, descriptions will be given with a region, of the other region B2 of the main body portion 41, from the loopback end portion 41 b to the portion that is looped back at the support portion 45 a being referred to as a first region C1, a region from the portion that is looped back at the support portion 45 a to the portion that is looped back at the third support portion 42 c being referred to as a region C2, and a region from the portion that is looped back at the third support portion 42 c to a distal end portion of the main body portion 41 being referred to as a region C3. The region C3 is disposed between the region C1 and the region C2, and is fixed to the region C2 by, for example, sewing together.

Similarly to the strap 1 of the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the strap is switched from the state shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B to the state shown in FIG. 3C and FIG. 3D (see FIG. 1B) by the second adjuster 44 moving downward (toward the camera 100).

Here, when the second adjuster 44 is moving toward the camera 100, the connection portion 42 itself does not move but the second adjuster 44 moves with respect to the connection portion 42. When the distance between the connection portion 42 and the second adjuster 44 is increased, the loopback end portion 41 b of the main body portion 41 correspondingly slides round the second support portion 42 b of the connection portion 42, and a loopback end portion 41 c formed between the region C2 and the region C3 slides round the support portion 45 a of a base portion 45. Thus, the one region B1 is drawn into the other region B2, and the lengths of the region C1 and the region C2 are lengthened. Meanwhile, the length of the region B1 is shortened, and the overall length of the first extensible portion 40 is shortened.

In the strap 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D, a movement amount of the second adjuster 24 with respect to the connection portion 22 and an amount of change in the length of the first extensible portion 20 are substantially the same. However, in the strap 2 of the present second embodiment, the length of the first extensible portion 40 lengthens or shortens with the amount of change being about twice the movement amount of the second adjuster 44.

Therefore, the overall length of the strap 2 can be changed with smaller operation amounts. Therefore, operations of changing the length of the strap 2 can be performed more quickly.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment of the strap employing the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are views showing the third embodiment of the strap.

A strap 3 of the third embodiment is a variant embodiment of the strap of the first embodiment, and is provided with a roller 52 a at a portion at which a connection portion 52, which connects a first extensible portion 50 with the hanging portion 10, slidably supports a loopback end portion 51 b of a main body portion 51. The rotation axis of this roller 52 a is parallel with the width direction of the strap 3. The loopback end portion 51 b of the main body portion 51 is wound on the outer peripheral surface of the roller 52 a.

This third embodiment of the strap 3 can moderate the friction force generated between the main body portion 51 and the connection portion 52 when the same are sliding. Therefore, length adjustment of the strap 3 can be performed more easily, and usability is improved.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment of the strap employing the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are views showing the fourth embodiment of the strap.

A strap 4 of the fourth embodiment is a variant embodiment of the strap 2 of the second embodiment, and is provided with a roller 62 d at which, similarly to the above-described third embodiment, a connection portion 62 slidably supports a loopback end portion 61 b of a main body portion 61. The strap 4 is further provided with a roller 65 a at a portion, of a base portion 65 of a second adjuster 64, that supports a loopback end portion 61 c of the main body portion 61.

Similarly to the third embodiment, the strap 4 of the fourth embodiment enables changes of the length of the strap 4 with smaller forces.

Variant Embodiments

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described hereabove; various alterations and modifications are possible, and these fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) The constitution of the strap of the present invention is not limited to the constitutions recited in the embodiments, and suitable modifications are possible. For example, the straps of the embodiments are provided with extensible portions at both of the end portions of the hanging portion, but this is not limiting. An extensible portion may be provided only at one end portion of the hanging portion.

Further, the strap itself may have the constitution of an extensible portion of the embodiments. For example, in the first embodiment of the strap, one eyelet of the camera is connected to one end of the main body portion, and the hanging portion is connected to the other end. However, another eyelet may be connected to the other end. Further, a state is possible in which, while one end of the main body portion is connected to the eyelet, the other end is not connected to anything.

(2) The straps of the embodiments are attached to a camera. However, an attachment object to which the strap of the present invention is attached is not limited thus. For example, the attachment object may be optical equipment such as a pair of binoculars or the like, and may be portable electronic equipment such as a portable telephone or the like. Further, the attachment object may be something such as a bag. The strap employing the present invention may be used for the hanging strap of a shoulder bag or the like, the shoulder straps of a rucksack or the like, and so forth.

(3) The locking mechanism of the embodiments has a locked state in which a pawl portion meshes with the strap. However, the constitution of the locking mechanism is not limited thus. 

1. A strap comprising: a main body portion formed in a belt shape and provided with a first loopback end portion formed by a length direction intermediate portion being looped back, the main body portion having an other region; and a locking mechanism provided with a first support portion that slidably supports one region of the main body portion viewed from the first loopback end portion; a second support portion that supports an end portion provided at an opposite side from the first loopback end portion on the other region of the main body portion; a lever portion configured to cause a free state and a lock state to be switchable from each other, where the one region is provided opposite to the first support portion across the main body portion and is slidable relative to the first support portion in the free state and is not slidable in the lock state, wherein the locking mechanism holds the one region between the first support portion and the lever portion to realize the lock state.
 2. The strap according to claim 1, wherein the end portion provided at the opposite side from the first loopback end portion on the other region is supported at the second support portion in a state in which relative movement with respect to the second support portion in a length direction of the main body portion is restricted.
 3. The strap according to claim 1, further comprising: a hanging portion formed in a belt shape and used by being hung around a body of a user; and a third support portion that slidably supports the first loopback end portion and is connected to an end portion of the hanging portion, wherein in the main body portion, an end portion provided at the opposite side from the first loopback end portion on the one region is connected to an attachment object, and the locking mechanism is provided to be relatively movable with respect to the third support portion along a length direction of the main body portion.
 4. The strap according to claim 1, further comprising: a hanging portion formed in a belt shape and used by being hung around a body of a user; and a third support portion that slidably supports the first loopback end portion and is connected to an end portion of the hanging portion, wherein the second support portion slidably supports a second loopback end portion which is formed by a length direction intermediate portion of the other region of the main body portion being looped back, in the main body portion, an end portion provided at the opposite side from the first loopback end portion viewed from the second loopback end portion on the other region is supported at the third support portion, and an end portion provided at the opposite side from the first loopback end portion on the one region is connected to an attachment object, and the locking mechanism is provided to be relatively movable with respect to the third support portion along the length direction of the main body portion.
 5. The strap according to claim 4, wherein the second support portion is provided with a first roller that is turnable about an axis parallel with a width direction of the main body portion, and the second loopback end portion of the main body portion is wound on an outer peripheral surface of the first roller.
 6. The strap according to claim 5, wherein the third support portion is provided with a second roller that is turnable about an axis parallel with a width direction of the main body portion, and the first loopback end portion of the main body portion is wound on an outer peripheral surface of the second roller.
 7. The strap portion according to claim 1, wherein the lever portion is configured to adjust a length of the main body portion in the one region in a longitudinal direction of the main body portion during the free state. 